Class of 2022: Top 10 Guards, Part 1

<p>I got to watch a lot of basketball this spring and summer, and there were a lot of players in New Mexico that stood out while playing in both local, and national tournaments! Now that school year has begun, and the basketball season is only three months away, I want to begin highlighting the top players throughout the state, and recapping their accomplishments from last season, and over the summer. Here is my first list of the top guard prospects in the senior class!</p> <ol> <li>PG 6’1 William Benjamin Jr., Las Cruces: "Duece"will enter his senior season as a 4 year varsity starter, and is coming off a tremendous junior campaign in which he put up some of the best numbers in the history of New Mexico basketball averaging 27 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals per game. He led Cruces to their second straight state title game where he put up in a close loss to Cleveland. He won New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year, was selected as Max Preps Player of the Year, District Player of the Year, as well as first team all state. He has received offers from New Mexico State, Florida International, and Arkansas Little Rock with interest from UNM, UTEP, and Northern Colorado.      </li> <li>CG 6’0 [player_tooltip player_id="1076675" first="Jakwon" last="Hill"], Volcano Vista: It seems like Jakwon has been playing varsity basketball for ever, and thats because he’s been a major contributor since entering the Hawks’ program as a freshman. He’s coming off a season where he averaged around 19 points per game, and was selected to the all-state, and all district first team. He has offers from Northern New Mexico, and New Mexico Highlands, with interest from a few Division I schools.     </li> <li>PG 5’11 [player_tooltip player_id="1076669" first="Jalen" last="Goar"], Hobbs: Goar will enter his 5th varsity season, (played varsity as an 8th grader), after averaging 17 points, and 4 assists per game as a Junior. He can light up from beyond the arc, and is developing in to a better playmaker. Was selected to 2nd team All State, and 1st team All District. Goar has gained the attention of over 8 Division II programs!</li> <li>CG 5’11 [player_tooltip player_id="1076693" first="Joren" last="Mirabal"], Magdalena: Mirabal entered this season as one of the best kept secrets in New Mexico, but after following up his really impressive sophomore campaign with an even better junior season he is now known as one of the best shooters, and scorers in the state.  </li> <li>SG 6’2 [player_tooltip player_id="1076676" first="Diego" last="Sharp"], ABC Prep: Sharp is one of the most athletic guards in the state, and consistently shows that with above the rim finishes in transition. He helped Cleveland win a state championship contributing valuable minutes as a role player. Throughout this summer I noticed that he is a lot more comfortable using his athleticism in half court sets catching lobs, and even dunking through traffic. He is developing his guard skills, and will be facing some top notch competition after transferring to ABC Prep.</li> </ol>